Hey everyone,

I hope you all had a great schoolyear.  Ours is finally winding down and we are ready for a summer break!

I have noticed that this site is not very active and it looks as though I am as much to blame as the next person.  I really should post to my blog more than twice a year!

Anyway, Allie finished 3rd grade.  We did chemistry and early modern history (1603-1850).  Next year, we will be studying physical science and modern history (1850-present).  After that, we'll start the cycle over.  She has only 5A - 6B to finish in Singapore math and I am still trying to decide what program we will be using for math after that.  She likes working from a workbook, so maybe another text that comes with a workbook.

Andy is 14 months old now.  Having a baby around while trying to do school has definitely made for an interesting schoolyear. 

Next year, I am going to try something new with our schedule.  I am going to give Allie all her lessons in the morning and then let her work on assignments in the afternoon.  I have to be to work at 4 Mon-Thur, and I am hoping this will help decrease the feeling of being rushed in the afternoon.  We'll see how the trial goes!

Hope everyone had a wonderful school year!

Christine

Happy New Year everyone!

We are about halfway through our school year.  It has been a challenging year with a baby and my returning to work in the evenings.  We have somehow managed to remain on track though :)

We are still using the same curriculums as last year.  I’ve been really happy with History Odyssey.  Allie and I both enjoy all the read alouds.   We enjoy the Real Science labs too, but I have to add to this program to beef it up.  Secular science programs for homeschoolers are hard to find.

Allie got a new puppy for Christmas!  He’s a golden retriever and was born on October 18th.  She named him Teddy.

We’ve enjoyed Christmas break...time to recuperate...but I am ready to get started again on Monday.  

Andromedus Babatunde Ajayi arrived on his due date of March 23, 2009. He weighed 10 lbs and measured 21 inches. I don't have small babies! Babatunde is Nigerian for "father has come back."

He is now two months old and doing well (other than a case of pink eye. Ugh!) He weighs 14 lbs 6 oz and is 24 ½ inches tall. He smiles, coos and laughs a lot. He cries mostly when he is hungry, but once he's fed, he's usually pretty happy.

Allie has finished her second-grade work and his enjoying her time off. I'm only requiring her to read over the summer. We will begin her third-grade curriculum in August. We will be using all the same programs: Singapore for math, REAL Science for chemistry (released just in time), History Odyssey Early Modern, Voyages in English for grammar and writing, Spelling Connections. We are also adding French and typing. For French, we are using workbooks and audio cds. If she's still interested in learning French by fourth grade, I'll look into more expensive programs. We are using a software program called Type to Learn for her typing.

This week, Allie will be having her ballet recital. There are six girls in her class and they will be dressed in pink and blue and dancing to the lullaby "All the Pretty Ponies." She is looking forward to performing on stage for a second year. Next year, she is thinking about signing up for the beginning Hip Hop class.

I've posted a few pics of Andy. After Allie's recital rehearsal, I'll upload video of her practicing.

Christine

Happy New Year, everyone!  I cannot believe that I let half a schoolyear go by without posting a blog.  Shameful. 

Second grade has been going well for Allie.  She finished both 3A and 3B of the Singapore math series and will begin 4A after break.  She is studying medieval history this year.  I've incorporated a lot of folk tales and myths into the lessons to give her a flavor of each culture.  For science, we finished studying the Earth and have moved on to space.  She really enjoys science and I've supplemented the REAL science program with other resources and books from the library.

As for me?  I've been pretty tired these past few months...Allie's little brother is due March 23rd :)  Some days its a struggle to get the schoolday finished so I have time for my afternoon nap.  Somehow, we have managed to stay on schedule so far.  Spring break will begin the day he arrives...not sure how long it will last, but as long as we need :)  Since we gave Allie a Greek name (Alexandria Demi), I wanted to give her brother a Greek name as well and chose Andromedus Theodore.  We'll be calling him Andy.

Christine

It's been a while since my last post and since we're nearing the end of our school year, I thought I better get on it :)

We have just 9 days left.  Yay!!  Our last day will be on June 6th.  We will be finishing up Ancient History, then.  We are about halfway through Singapore Math 2b, but will pick that back up in August when we start our new year.  We finished Voyages in English grade 1 about 2 weeks ago, so we won't be doing any more grammar or writing until the next school year.  Overall, we have had a pretty good first year and we will be doing all second grade work next year.  She will soon be starting 3rd grade in math :) 

While I do think Allie is smart, I think the main reason she has been able to get ahead is the one-on-one instruction that homeschooling allows.  It has been great and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish next year:)

The main changes I have planned for next year:  A more fleshed-out science program.  Our science barely lasted more than half the year because of Allie's enthuciasm for that subject.  I will also be having her keep a reading log to help her with phonics and reading comprehension.  I've been satisfied with the curriculum choices I made, Real Science, History Odyssey, Voyages in English, Spelling Connections, and Singapore Math, so I will be using those same curriculums for second grade.

Have a wonderful summer break everybody!

Christine